Autos preferred mode for ferrying liquor

Visakhapatnam: Even though the security agencies have geared up to catch the money, liquor and other sops being transported illegally, to be distributed to party workers and followers during the election campaign, the candidates are finding innovative ways and means to hoodwink the police and escape their raids.

Some MLA aspirants have selected auto-rickshaws to offer liquor to their supporters. Compared to large vehicles, autos are small and even they can easily escape in narrow streets from the eyes of police. Taking this as advantage, the aspirants are engaging three-wheelers in large numbers to enable free flow of liquor without attracting unnecessary attention while engaging their supporters.

The political campaign has become an expensive affair for all the party candidates. Apart from arranging breakfast, lunch and dinner to party followers and workers, what forms a part of the menu during electioneering is liberal portions of liquor. This sort of 'pampering' for party workers will continue till the polling date. No wonder that the demand for liquor grows manifold during elections.

Exploiting the weakness to an optimum extent, the MLA aspirants are making elaborate arrangements and storing liquor in huge quantity in their godowns. Meanwhile, the rival candidates are giving information to police and excise officials about the storage of liquor at various places.

Keeping this in view, the candidates are finding smart ways to skip police and excise raids and selecting the seven-seat or four-seater auto-rickshaws for liquor distribution. This apart, they are also engaging vehicles and providing liquor for a group of 10-15 people at a time.

However, the selected auto-rickshaws have no specific party colour, flag or banners for identification reasons. They will store the liquor and according to the party office directions, they will pick up 'right persons' to provide liquor.

"As there is a risk factor involved in this process, auto-rickshaw drivers are now demanding Rs 60,000- Rs 70,000 for engaging the vehicle till the polling date. They are demanding almost Rs 2,000 a day and we are engaging the vehicles as it is the one of the best options," said office in-charge of one of the TDP MLAs in the city.